Dissecting tip for surgical stapler

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a dissecting tip for use in a surgical stapler or instrument.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A surgical stapling device comprising:
 an elongated body portion; 
 an end effector pivotally attached to the elongated body portion, the end effector including an anvil assembly having a distal portion and a proximal portion and a cartridge assembly having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the anvil assembly being movably supported in relation to the cartridge assembly between an open position and a clamped position; and 
 a dissecting tip including a distal portion a proximal portion, and an inner surface, the dissecting tip extending from the distal portion of the anvil assembly toward the cartridge assembly in a distal direction, wherein the distal portion of the dissecting tip has a rounded configuration to separate target tissue from certain tissue and the inner surface is spaced from the cartridge assembly when the cartridge assembly and anvil assembly are in the clamped position. 
 
     
     
       2. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the dissecting tip extends distally beyond the distal portion of the cartridge assembly. 
     
     
       3. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 1 , wherein a width of the dissecting tip decreases from the proximal portion of the dissecting tip to the distal portion of the dissecting tip. 
     
     
       4. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the anvil assembly includes an inner tissue contacting surface, the dissecting tip includes an inner surface is contiguous with the inner tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly. 
     
     
       5. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the dissecting tip is monolithically formed with the anvil assembly. 
     
     
       6. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the dissecting tip is secured to the anvil assembly using a mechanical fastening technique. 
     
     
       7. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 1 , further including an articulation lever for articulating the end effector relative to the elongated body portion. 
     
     
       8. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handle assembly with a trigger. 
     
     
       9. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 8 , wherein the handle assembly includes a rotation knob. 
     
     
       10. A surgical stapling device comprising:
 an elongated body portion; 
 an end effector pivotally attached to the elongated body portion, the end effector including an anvil assembly having a distal portion and a proximal portion and a cartridge assembly having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the anvil assembly movably supported in relation to the cartridge assembly between an open position and a clamped position, the cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples supported therein; and 
 a dissecting tip having a distal portion a proximal portion, and an inner surface, the dissecting tip extending from the distal portion of the anvil assembly toward the cartridge assembly in a distal direction, wherein a width of the dissecting tip decreases along a length thereof and the inner surface is spaced from the cartridge assembly when the cartridge assembly and anvil assembly are in the clamped position. 
 
     
     
       11. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 10 , wherein the anvil assembly includes a tissue contacting surface and the inner surface of the dissecting tip defines an angle with the tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly. 
     
     
       12. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 11 , wherein the distal portion of the dissecting tip extends distally beyond the distal portion of the cartridge assembly. 
     
     
       13. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 10 , wherein the width of the dissecting tip decreases from the proximal portion of the dissecting tip to the distal portion of the dissecting tip. 
     
     
       14. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 11 , wherein the inner surface of the dissecting tip is contiguous with the inner tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly. 
     
     
       15. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 10 , wherein the dissecting tip is monolithically formed with the anvil assembly. 
     
     
       16. A surgical stapling device comprising:
 an elongated body portion; 
 an end effector pivotally attached to the elongated body portion, the end effector including an anvil assembly having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a cartridge assembly having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the anvil assembly movably supported in relation to the cartridge assembly between an open position and a clamped position, the cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples supported therein; and 
 a dissecting tip including a proximal portion a proximal portion, and an inner surface, the dissecting tip extending from the distal portion of the anvil assembly toward the cartridge assembly in a distal direction, wherein the dissecting tip has a width that decreases from the proximal portion of the dissecting tip to the distal portion of the dissecting tip and the inner surface is spaced from the cartridge assembly when the cartridge assembly and anvil assembly are in the clamped position. 
 
     
     
       17. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 16 , wherein the anvil assembly has a tissue contacting surface, the inner surface of the dissecting tip defining an angle with the tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly. 
     
     
       18. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 17 , wherein the distal portion of the dissecting tip extends distally beyond the distal portion of the cartridge assembly. 
     
     
       19. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 16 , wherein the dissecting tip is monolithically formed with the anvil assembly.